Local Taekwondo Student Returns from Korea

Many teens spend their time worrying about school, friends and having fun. But Osbourn Park High School student, Matthew Zwiren worries about making it to the next Taekwondo tournament.

Zwiren recently came home from Korea, where he fought in the Chuncheon Open International. It was his second time fighting there and he earned two bonze medals.  In his first visit, he brought back two gold medals.

But it hasn't been easy. Zwiren has been practicing for nealry 10 years, working hard to perfect his skills and keep his weight down.

“Ever since I started Taekwondo I haven’t been able to hang out with friends,” Zwiren said. “School and Taekwondo is all I have time for.”

He could be cut from the sparring team if he makes a grade lower than a B, he said.

 Still,  the high school student manages his time so he can be a part of Osbourn Park’s JR-OTC. His chief has shown interest in having him on the athletic team, but Zwire said not if it would interfere with his training.

Zwiren began his training at Tiger Martial Arts in Dale City, but currenty trains at Phan University of Martial Arts in Burke. His daily training consists of technique and situational aspects of the sport, such as sparring. Even on the weekends he finds time to work out and study the technical aspects of fighting.

Zwiren, who has earned a black belt, began practicing traditional forms of the sport before eventually participating in sparring tournaments across the United States and worldwide.

He said his tournaments are never local, but Korea was his first trip overseas.

“...They always switch around where Nationals are,” he said. “Sometimes Florida, sometimes Texas, sometimes California. It’s wherever the committee for that year chooses.”

While in Korea this year,  Zwiren also got to train with three other schools.

Zwiren's Grand Master Cheon, who was the head coach of the Olympic Taekwondo team in 2000, chose him to fight in the tournament. Allergist Dr. Alpin, also helped him get to Korea by raising funds for more than half of his travel-related expenses.

Zwiren said is not sure what the future holds for him and the sport, but did say he feels it has taught him discipline and respect, which will help him in his future.